Can You Afford Your Own Al Gore For The Holidays?

By admin | December 19, 2007

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As the celebrity aura surrounding Al Gore increases with every award sent in the mail, so too does the price of snagging the former V.P. turned environmental superstar for speaking engagements and birthday parties.

According to released figures, Gore receives between $100,000-$150,000 for speaking engagements. I’m fairly certain, however, that those numbers are rising — especially due to a Nobel Peace Prize now in tow. From a source that will remain anonymous, I’m hearing recent prices above $200K for keynote talks. In addition to these prices, the V.P. also requests $1,000 per diem, first-class airfare, professional ground transportation (sedan, not SUV — hybrid when possible), and top-notch hotel accommodations.

Now, it should also be stressed that Gore donates a significant share of his profits to the Alliance For Climate Protection (his Nobel Prize winnings also went there) — and he occasionally waives his fees for non-profits and schools. Obviously, if the guy was free — he would be swamped with requests to lecture all over the planet. As it is, since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, he’s given about 150 lectures per year.

Unfortunately, people are not too pleased with recent actions by Gore’s team. At last month’s Fortune Forum summit in London, guests bemoaned the high-entry prices (anywhere from £1,000 and £50,000 to attend) and lackluster access and performance by the former V.P. Said one source,

“He refused to speak to journalists and security would usher away VIP guests and the Press. He was being very precious and demanded his own VIP room before the event, where he held his own exclusive reception. The other guests were cut off. It was very clear that many guests were disappointed by this.”

So the question begs to be asked: Is Gore’s celebrity status damaging the campaign he’s worked so hard (and quite successfully) to educate us on? Is it now time for him to change his presentation style or the message he’s delivering? Are the fees too much for some worthy events and organizations to even consider? Discuss below!